Products of the Year

Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 D/A processor ($4695; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.16 No.12, December 1993, & Vol.17 No.1, January 1994; and Jonathan Scull, Vol.17 No.4, April 1994 Review)

"From the sublime to the ridiculous," I thought as I counted the votes in this category, the nominees ranging from the $259 Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box to the mighty Mark Levinson No.30.5 at a hair under $16,000. (I've used both in my system; yes, the '30.5 does sound better—a lot better!) But it was the new Canadian kid on the digital block, Sonic Frontiers' SFD-2 D/A processor, that got the nod from the Stereophile sages.

Featuring the well-respected UltraAnalog D20400A DAC modules, coupled with UltraAnalog's low-jitter AES20 data receiver module and all-tube circuitry, the SFD-2 should only be used in its balanced mode, which sounds significantly more musical, decided the magazine's matriculate mavens. "I'll cut to the chase: The SFD-2's musical performance was absolutely stunning by any standard," declared Robert Harley in his original review, enthusing over the clarity and lack of grain in the SFD-2's treble and the power, extension, and "musical rightness" of the unit's low frequencies. "Center-of-the-earth solidity," he added.

Jonathan Scull, too, found much to admire in the sound of the Sonic Frontiers, mentioning its chunky, meaty deep bass, lively upper midrange, and the separation and air typical of its soundstage. I find the Mark Levinson No.30.5 to have just a wee bit more refinement to its presentation compared with the more forward-balanced Sonic Frontiers, but hey, look at the difference in price. The SFD-2 is within the reach of real people—which, I suspect, gave it the edge in the votes. And rightly so!

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Accuphase DP-65 CD player ($5995; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.17 No.10, October 1994)
Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box D/A processor ($259; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.17 No.3, March 1994)
Linn Karik/Numerik CD player ($5790; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.15 No.1, January 1992, & Vol.17 No.10, October 1994 Review)
Mark Levinson No.30.5 D/A processor ($15,950; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.17 No.10, October 1994 Review)
PS Audio Lambda CD transport ($1795; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.16 Nos.10 & 11, October & November 1993, & Vol.17 No.3, March 1994 Review)
Theta Data Basic CD transport ($1750; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.17 No.3, March 1994 Review)